Band:	Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster
Album:	The World Inside
Style:	Post-metal
Release date:	August 19, 2021
A review by:	BitterCOld

01. Machinations
02. The World Inside
03. Presynaptic
04. Truth Escapes
05. Postsynaptic
06. Apocryphal

Nearly a decade ago Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster contacted me, requesting I review Exegesis. Back in the day I was a slut and pretty much said "Yes!" to any review request that made its way to my inbox. Burnt out on Post-It bands at the time I was blown away. Will I be again, nine years on with The World Inside?

The World Inside sees TNBD hand over vocal duties to Silent Bob? There are none. Well, kind of*. So how would I find TWI with the band missing a key ingredient ? a sonic lomito without the mango habanero Cholula, if you will?

Surprisingly well.

Or not that surprising, really.

As much as I enjoyed the vocals, it was the totality of the songs on Exegesis which gripped me. TWI further showcases the abilities of these musicians to craft sonic passages and environments, leaving all interpretation to you.

As for interpretation, the whole thing kicks off with five minutes of the musical equivalent of the establishing shot of a motion picture. Laying in bed with eyes closed, big headphones on, as "Machinations" played, I found myself mentally conjuring images of some 80s Sci-Fi dystopian future movie, slowly descending over and panning into what some future city would feel like - dark and gritty structures decorated with neon sheen to try and mask the decay. The bass takes center stage, driving the song along with some drum support while the guitar and other effects are ephemeral, floating in and out off in the side, adding ambiance without demanding attention. Five minutes later, pause, and tremolo-picking guitar lead announces Post-time has kicked off. The remainder of the track pretty much showcases everything I enjoy about Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster. Rapid tremolo picked melody deftly shifts into Helmet-like "duh-uh" riffing to full on E-string chugging. They encapsulate a variety of styles and build-ups and are quite adept at shifting from one style to another.

Earlier I referenced their ability to craft songs. Bassist Tom remarked the album was "proggier" than their past efforts and yeah. (mentally insert "He's right you know" gif here.) The sonic shifts are one aspect of that, the band interplay is yet another. Each musician is capable of both embellishing as well as restraint. The melodies the guitar creates leave space for flourishes on the drum kit or bass. They also don't sit on a riff too long. The intro to "Machinations" might take a while to develop but beyond that they don't ride a riff until it runs out of gas. To continue the vehicle analogy, they change it up more frequently than I do whatever car I've just stolen in Grand Theft Auto 5. Only they are far, far smoother in transition.

The entirety of the album continues like this, each track an audible feast. Forced to pick, I'd probably tag "Apocryphal" as my personal favorite, though each is an interesting journey.

I have always found it challenging to describe an album like this - far more so than black, death, thrash or doom - so don't let my inability to translate their brilliant sonic concepts into swell phrases or analogies dissuade you.

This is definitely worth a digital spin so put on your headphones and bandcamp your way to explore The World Inside.

* The CD and digital album does have one track with vocals, "Truth Escapes", which appears fourth on the track list, though that previously appeared on the EP of the same name. It does not appear on the vinyl variant due to the length of the songs.